Denver appears to be on its way toward fixing its issues in the sheriff’s department. Judge John Kane should follow suit. His partisan management of a case against the sheriff’s department caused Denver taxpayers to finance its settlement at an unwarranted premium. During the case, he pressured federal authorities to investigate and act against the Denver sheriff’s and police departments. Nobody believes that a judge who so pressures authorities to act against a party in a pending case is impartial. He also ignored the separation of the executive and judicial powers.

Further, he shared with The Denver Post his deliberations about pursuing contempt actions against Denver officials, in breach of the deliberative privilege. (By contrast, Judicial Cannon 2.10 prohibits state judges from commenting on pending cases.)

Although well-intentioned, Judge Kane has blemished the professionalism of our judiciary. We appreciate his prior service, but he should step down.

Federico C. Alvarez, Denver

This letter was published in the Aug. 18 edition.

It was delightful to see Judge John Kane’s picture on the front page of The Denver Post and to read the excellent article on this great jurist. What was left out, however, was Judge Kane’s well-known stand on the great American drug war. Every year, Judge Kane is a featured speaker in my drug war class, where he emphasizes the sad story of the incarceration of largely young minority males to lengthy prison sentences for minor offenses. Judge Kane offers his expertise on why and how the United States — which has 5 percent of the world’s populaton and more than 25 percent of the world’s prisoners — became a carceral state. Judge Kane is a fearless fighter for justice and in particular racial justice in America. At a time when Colorado leads the nation in changing directions, Judge Kane needs to be recognized as a pioneer in drug reform.

Arthur N. Gilbert, Denver

The writer is a professor at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies.

This letter was published in the Aug. 18 edition.

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